Now that the political editorials have subsided, the religious editorials are coming out of the woodwork like bed bugs. For the second time in a year the same writer has asked the question where in the Constitution are the words “separation of church and state?” And in the process again dragged Judge Black over the coals as if for causing it all. Well you are right, those words aren’t there so hopefully that question won’t have to be asked again.
But thankfully and purposefully our founding fathers worded the First Amendment to infer the separation, thereby leaving it for future interpretation as needed. The same writer also chose to bash someone else’s lifestyle, perceiving their own is above reproach.
I would suggest if the pious want to exercise their literary skills they take advantage of the recent bird and fish kill. Certainly some kind of apocalyptic fairytale can be concocted to compliment the book of Revelations.
Don Hansen
Pine River
Is this Brainerd or Nome?
I’m driving down the icy street
Through squalls of rain and stinging sleet,
Wipers humming, front and back,
Headlights piercing through the black.
Corner’s coming — take it slow,
Pray no one’s coming down the hill.
Apply the brakes with greatest care.
It matters not. The road’s a glare
of ice. We slide right through and halt
Six feet too far. Hooray for salt!
Errand completed, head for home.
Is this Brainerd, or is it Nome?
Slow down for curves, be always wary.
Was this trip really necessary?
Doris W. Anderson
Baxter
Wisdom prevails
Subject: U.S. says too much fluoride in the water.
1) We learned from the Sunday Jan. 9 Brainerd Dispatch the federal government plans to lower recommended levels for fluoride. Reason:
• “Getting too much of it causes spots on some kids teeth.”
• “ It mostly results in tiny white flecks or streaks on teeth.”
• “ Fluorosis has generally been seen as the downside of fluoride.”
2) Also learned: The main source of fluoride exists in soft drinks and juices. Other sources: toothpaste, mouthwashes, gels and supplements. Supplements — (ie: tablets and bottled water) prescribed by a pediatrician or dentist.
3) In 1970 Jack Graham, Brainerd’s anti-fluoridation attorney, led the movement with claims that it caused cancer — and mottling of enamel. The anti-fluoride movement has dominated the Brainerd media for 41 years. In 1995, Jack Graham moved to Quebec.
Minneapolis began fluoridating of its water supply in 1953. For 20 years (from 1953-1973) I closely tracked each family’s history to determine, if and when their 3-year olds received city water or private well water. The dramatic improvement in 3-year olds receiving 1.2 parts per million (1.2 ppm) fluoride convinced me that municipal water fluoridation improved the dental health of the community.
It defies logic that the federal government has a legitimate case to lower the levels of fluoride that have existed for 58 years. The 1.2 ppm concentration of fluoride in city water is already so minute. It makes no sense!
The Thursday, Jan. 20 Brainerd Dispatch article by Matt Erickson reported on the Tuesday’s Brainerd City Council meeting. The same old scare tactics bubbled up again. However — wisdom prevailed.
Dr. Robert O. Uppgaard
Pequot Lakes
Comments (7)
Add comment"Is this Brainerd, or is it Nome?"
"Is this Brainerd, or is it Nome?"
Neither Nome nor Brainerd. East Baxter.
Thank you Doris, Very enjoyable,
Jeff
Doc Bob missing the point, again.
Brainerds flouride fight was not so much about the flouride as it was about the mandate. Dr. Bob always missed that point back in the day, and does today as well. Sure, there were many people who thought flouride was going to cause all kinds of health issues..and they made lots of noise in the media. But the main issue, for most people, was the mandate. Big Brother comes up from the capital and tells YOU what to drink. Dr. Bob is, was, and always will be, a fanatic on the issue. But for once it would be nice if the rich Doc from the lake could see the bigger picture of what the flouride issue was really all about.
Scalia and Thomas' bed partners
Not only do we need the separation between church and state we also need separation between the Supreme Court, big business and political parties.
Justices Scalia and Thomas met behind closed doors with Koch Industries right before they voted to give Koch Industries and other corporations as well as unions unlimited buying power in our elections. Scalia is the same justice who went duck hunting with Cheney right before he voted in Cheney's favor. He seems to be saying I Dare You to challenge me. That kind of ego is dangerous in a man with his influence and lifetime appointment.
Now they are meeting with the Tea Party no media allowed.
Common Cause is taking a serious look at this meltdown.
Sort of reminds one of all
Sort of reminds one of all the Dems going behind closed doors to put together the health care camel, eh Fish.
Separation
Separation of church and state is not part of the Constitution.
The matter came up in a letter from Thomas Jefferson to a church in Connecticut. I believe the church was asking if tax
dollars could be used to help with the church's expenses.
The Fluoride Conspiracy
I realize that tork thinks that fluoridation is a Commie plot, but here's a clue for you -- You don't have to drink the water.
Big Brother doesn't care if your family's teeth rot. There are plenty of alternative sources of drinking water: you can drill your own well and have the water tested twice a year to make sure it isn't contaminated, you can buy it in the store and wonder what's in it, or you can stick to a regular diet of pure grain alcohol.
And if you're really serious about the subject, you can join the John Birch Society and prattle to your heart's content about the purity and essence of your natural bodily fluids. Just don't let on that you don't know how to spell the word "fluoride".
dramatic improvement in dental health
Putting lithium in the water supply would show a dramatic improvement in mental health. Appetite suppressants in the water supply may show a dramatic improvement in the obesity rate.
The skepticism surrounding intentionally putting chemicals in public water isn't about the end; it's about the Means.